If you’re craving something hearty, cozy, and absolutely bursting with flavor, you’ve got to try this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe. I love this because it’s like a warm hug in a bowl—rich tomato sauce, tender chicken, and a wonderful medley of veggies all slow-simmered to perfection. Trust me, once you make it, you’ll be hooked, and it’s one of those dishes that makes your whole kitchen smell incredible for hours. Stick around—I’ll share all my secrets so you can nail it every single time!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super Simple Prep: You just layer everything in the slow cooker and let it work its magic—minimal hands-on time.
- Rich, Homey Flavors: The slow cooking brings out incredible depth in the tomato sauce and tender chicken.
- Versatile Serving Options: Whether you want it over rice, pasta, or even creamy polenta, this dish shines.
- Family Favorite: My crew goes crazy for this meal and always asks me to make it again soon.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients all work together beautifully here—fresh veggies and herbs build flavor right from the start, and the tomato paste with white wine deepens the sauce complexity. I recommend grabbing bone-in chicken pieces if you can; it adds so much extra flavor and keeps the meat juicy during slow cooking.
- Cut up skinless chicken: Bone-in thighs or drumsticks are best for flavor and moisture.
- Large onion: Sliced thin to caramelize slowly and infuse sweetness.
- Green pepper: Adds a mild earthiness and crunch if slightly undercooked.
- Sliced mushrooms: They soak up the sauce and enhance the umami depth.
- Minced garlic: Essential for that classic aromatic punch.
- Tomato paste: Go for quality—it thickens and concentrates the sauce wonderfully.
- White wine: Brings acidity and brightness to balance the richness.
- Olive oil: Use good extra virgin for flavor.
- Oregano and dried basil: The herbs that bring out the Italian soul of the dish.
- Salt and celery salt: Celery salt is a secret touch that adds subtle depth.
- Crushed red pepper flakes: For just the right gentle kick—adjust to taste.
Variations
I like to keep this recipe pretty classic, but there’s definitely room to swap things up depending on your mood or pantry staples. Don’t be afraid to get creative and make it your own—that’s half the fun!
- Vegetable Boost: I sometimes add chopped carrots or zucchini for extra color and nutrition, and my family barely notices—they just love the layers of flavor.
- Spice it Up: If you’re into heat, double the crushed red pepper flakes or toss in a diced jalapeño. I discovered this trick when hosting friends who love bold flavors—it was a hit!
- Wine-Free Version: Skip the white wine and replace it with a bit more chicken broth plus a splash of lemon juice; it still tastes fantastic and keeps things simple.
- Make it Gluten-Free: Perfect as-is for gluten-free because it’s naturally free of wheat; just pair with gluten-free pasta or rice.
How to Make Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Step 1: Layer the Base with Onions
The first thing I do is slice my onions thin and spread them evenly across the bottom of the slow cooker. This little layer is more than just a bed for the chicken—it slowly caramelizes and adds sweetness that infuses the whole dish. It’s a small step that makes a big difference, so don’t skip it!
Step 2: Arrange the Chicken on Top
Place the cut-up chicken pieces right over the onions. I like to use skinless but bone-in for that extra juicy flavor. The chicken will slowly cook and soak up all those gorgeous flavors from below and above. Try to arrange the pieces in one layer if your slow cooker is big enough for more even cooking.
Step 3: Mix and Pour the Sauce
In a separate bowl, blend the remaining ingredients—green peppers, mushrooms, garlic, tomato paste, white wine, olive oil, and all the spices—until well combined. This sauce is the heart of the dish, and mixing it thoroughly helps all those flavors marry. Pour it evenly over the chicken pieces so everything is nicely coated and ready to slow cook.
Step 4: Cook and Let the Magic Happen
Cover and set your slow cooker to high for about 4 hours or low for 7-8 hours. I personally prefer the low and slow method—it gives you impossibly tender chicken and a sauce that’s rich and thickened. Just don’t peek too often; keeping the lid closed helps trap heat and moisture for the best results.
Pro Tips for Making Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
- Use Bone-In Chicken: I learned the hard way that boneless dries out too easily; bones add so much flavor and keep the meat juicy.
- Don’t Skip the Onions on the Bottom: They act like a natural rack and sweeten the dish wonderfully during cooking.
- Pour Sauce All Over: Make sure every piece of chicken is coated, so it simmers in all that lovely tomatoey goodness.
- Avoid Lifting the Lid: Resist the temptation to check too often; it keeps the heat steady and the chicken tender.
How to Serve Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or basil on top just before serving—it brightens the dish and adds a fresh herbal note that complements the warm tomato sauce beautifully. A little grated Parmesan isn’t a bad idea if you want some cheesy goodness too!
Side Dishes
This Chicken Cacciatore shines with a simple side of buttered pasta or creamy polenta—both soak up that amazing sauce perfectly. Rice works great too, especially if you want to keep it gluten-free. Steamed or roasted veggies like green beans or broccoli add a nice crunch and color to your plate.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I like to serve this in rustic individual cast iron skillets with a fresh baguette on the side to mop up the sauce—instant cozy dinner party vibes. You can also spoon it over baked spaghetti squash for a low-carb twist that looks gorgeous on the table.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftovers go straight into airtight containers and into the fridge, where they keep beautifully for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight and honestly taste even better the next day. Just make sure to cool it fully before refrigerating to keep everything safe and fresh.
Freezing
I’ve frozen this recipe regularly with great success—just portion it out into freezer-safe containers and it’ll keep up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain that tender texture and rich flavor.
Reheating
To reheat, I gently warm leftovers in a saucepan over low-medium heat with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce. You can also use the microwave, but stirring occasionally helps prevent drying out and keeps the chicken juicy and tender.
FAQs
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Can I use boneless chicken for this Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe?
You can use boneless chicken, but I recommend bone-in pieces if possible because they add more flavor and stay juicier during the long cooking time. Boneless chicken tends to dry out a bit in the slow cooker.
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Is it necessary to use white wine in the recipe?
White wine adds a bright acidity and depth to the sauce, but if you prefer to skip it, you can replace it with chicken broth and a squeeze of lemon juice to keep those flavors balanced and fresh.
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How long should I cook Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore on low versus high?
Cooking on low for 7-8 hours is ideal for super tender, flavorful chicken, but if you’re short on time, high for about 4 hours works too. Avoid cooking less than 4 hours to ensure chicken is fully cooked and juicy.
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What’s the best way to thicken the sauce if it’s too thin?
If your sauce is thinner than you like, you can remove the lid during the last 30 minutes of cooking to let some liquid evaporate, or stir in a teaspoon of cornstarch slurry to gently thicken it up.
Final Thoughts
This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe quickly became one of my go-to dinners because it’s effortless and feels like comfort food on steroids. I love that I can start it in the morning and come home to a house that smells heavenly with a hot, satisfying meal waiting for me. You’ll enjoy how the flavors meld together with practically no fuss, and your family will absolutely thank you. Give it a try—you won’t regret it!
Print
Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 240 min
- Total Time: 245 min
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Description
This Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is a hearty and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken simmered with onions, green peppers, mushrooms, garlic, and a rich tomato sauce infused with herbs and a touch of white wine. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal that pairs beautifully with rice or pasta.
Ingredients
Chicken and Vegetables
- 3 lbs cut up skinless chicken (bone-in recommended for more flavor)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 green pepper, diced
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- 4 tablespoons minced garlic
Sauce and Seasoning
- 2 (6 oz) cans tomato paste
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Place the thinly sliced onions at the bottom of the slow cooker to create a flavorful foundation for the dish.
- Add chicken: Arrange the cut-up chicken pieces evenly on top of the onions in the slow cooker.
- Mix sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine the green pepper, sliced mushrooms, minced garlic, tomato paste, white wine, olive oil, oregano, dried basil, salt, celery salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Stir well until all ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Add sauce to chicken: Pour the prepared sauce mixture evenly over the chicken pieces, ensuring each piece is covered.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on high for at least 4 hours, or on low for 7-8 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
- Serve: Serve the chicken cacciatore hot, ideally over rice, pasta, or alongside your favorite vegetable for a complete meal.
Notes
- For deeper flavor, use bone-in chicken parts as recommended.
- Adjust crushed red pepper flakes to control the heat level to your preference.
- White wine adds layers of flavor but can be substituted with chicken broth if preferred.
- This dish pairs beautifully with pasta, rice, or sautéed vegetables.
- Leftovers store well and flavors deepen overnight.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1451 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 27 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 122 mg
